Three killed in Canadian train derailment

TORONTO (Reuters) - A passenger train derailed near Burlington in southern Ontario on Sunday, killing at least three people, according to the train operator VIA Rail.

"There were 75 passengers on board the train at the time of the accident. There are reports of several injuries to passengers and three fatalities," VIA Rail said in a statement.

The six-carriage train, which was travelling from Niagara Falls, Ontario, to Toronto, derailed at 1530 EST (2030 GMT).

"They were in the locomotive, so at this point we know for sure that they (the three people killed) were VIA employees," VIA Rail spokeswoman Michelle Lamarche told CBC News.

A spokesman for the Halton Regional police was able to confirm only one fatality. The cause of the derailment is not yet known.

VIA Rail, which is owned by the Canadian government, said three passengers were airlifted to local hospitals with serious injuries. More than 40 passengers and a crew member were also taken to local hospitals.

The train was reportedly leaking fuel after the derailment, Postmedia News said.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said it had sent a team of investigators to the site of the incident.

VIA Rail said other trains in the region will be affected due to the tracks being blocked at the scene of the accident.
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